Posted on 06/27/2021 2:07:59 PM PDT by Kaslin
French authorities have launched an investigation after a spectator interfered in stage one of the Tour de France on Saturday, causing a massive pileup with less than 30 miles until the finish line.
The French Gendarmerie said in a statement posted to Facebook that they are actively looking for the woman who held out a cardboard sign into the road causing the crash that resulted in several riders sustaining serious injuries.
Authorities said the suspect, dressed in blue jeans, a red and white striped shirt and a yellow raincoat, fled the scene before anyone could reach her.
Several videos posted on social media showed a spectator holding out a cardboard sign on the side of the road when a rider in the peloton crashed into the sign, causing a massive pileup.
The Dutch riding team, Jumbo-Visma, was among the racers most significantly impacted by the crash. Cyclist Tony Martin was the one who made contact with the spectator’s sign, according to reports.
Martin reportedly suffered road rash from the initial crash but was able to rejoin the race while Germany’s Jasha Sutterlin had to withdraw. Several others were injured including Spain’s Marc Soler who withdrew from the race following the completion of stage one after he suffered fractures in both arms, eurosport.com reported.
Tour deputy director Pierre-Yves Thouault told AFP that they plan to sue.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Her.
I don’t read French, what does the sign say?
I hope justice will be served and I just thank God she was not holding a “Trump Won” sign.
fooled me...
From another article: Holding a sign that read “Allez Opi-Omi!,” (a mix of French and German for “Let’s Go Grandpa-Grandma!”)
Yay! Social media! So awesome!
There was another similar crash and pile-up latter that same day. Competitive cycling at this level is inherently dangerous and pile-ups like these are not uncommon. This was not that big of a deal. If it were, the spectators would be kept off the road.
Eeew. I’ve had road rash in the past when I’ve wiped out on my ten speed. I feel for the cyclists. Taking a shower with it stings like hell for the first couple of days.
Does anybody know approximately how fast they are riding at this point?
 "Now seems like a good time to cross." |
“Hi Grandma & Grampa”.
The sign said “Allez Opi-Omi!” The words “Opi” and “Omi” are German terms of endearment for grandparents, akin to “granny,” according to Sports Illustrated.
This was not that big of a deal. If it were, the spectators would be kept off the road.
there it is...
A couple thoughts on this.
1.) If I caused a thing like that I’d run my a$$ off, too, and I’d still be running. That’s just a cold, hard fact of which I am not proud.
2.) I completely understand one does not hold obstacles before bike riders, but it appears this individual was looking the wrong way, as was the first bicyclist who hit the sign. Both were oblivious to what was about to unfold.
3.) Maybe they should add diesel horns to their bikes.
It is a major (fringe) sporting event.
Stupid and tragic, though I'm sure she didn't intend for that outcome to happen.
I get that the Tour de France is a big deal. I don’t get why spectators are allowed to be so close to the racers. Unless spectator stunts and pileups are part of the allure.
‘Because vagina card...’
if she’s any good looking the authorities will end up apologizing to her for her inconvenience...
must be nice...
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